Patricia Garrett

Sep 27, 1933 -

Feb 12, 2023

Patricia Louise Harker Garrett, age 89, passed away at home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Feb. 12, 2023. Pat was born in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 1933, and grew up in Oakland, Calif. She attended Catholic schools and spent summers in Iowa with family. She graduated from Holy Names Central High School in Oakland and subsequently went to college at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she met and married Walter D. Garrett in 1952. They lived in Nevada and California - Hyampom and Redding - where five of their children were born, and then moved to Alaska in 1960, right after statehood, where their youngest was born. Pat was an adventurer who worked for 50-plus years in the air transportation and tourism industries. At the time of the 1964 earthquake and during reconstruction she worked at the Anchorage International Airport for Avis Rent-a-Car. She then worked for Pacific Northern Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Wein Air Alaska, Mark Air and America West Airlines as well as numerous travel agencies. She spent time in Whittier while working for Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise and ended her career working for the Municipality of Anchorage at the Visitor's Center and Log Cabin. Once retired she split her time between her homes In Arizona and Alaska. She enjoyed working and traveled extensively whenever she could. She made friends easily and enjoyed sharing her time with many of the people who helped pioneer Alaska thanks to her connections with these airlines and her outgoing personality. She was considered a fun loving and witty companion with a great sense of humor. Pat treasured her many friends and family who lived not only in Alaska and Arizona but in numerous locations. She enjoyed hosting guests who stayed at her home no matter the location whether it was in Anchorage, Talkeetna - she loved her cabin in Talkeetna - or Arizona. Her friends often comment on how much they enjoyed her annual St. Patrick's Day celebration dinners as well as all the holidays that they spent together. During the 60s, she volunteered making dozens of cookies for the troops who came through Anchorage on their way to the war in Vietnam or on their way home. She enjoyed hot air balloons in both Alaska and Arizona and, notably, was the first woman to fly an air balloon above the Arctic Circle. She enjoyed art and dabbled in painting and stained glass. She was also a registered ham radio operator. Most recently she enjoyed playing cards and was a member of the Moose Lodge bridge club in Anchorage and organized bridge games in Arizona. She was the only child of Charles Carter Harker of Iowa and Louise Mary Sullivan of Nevada. Pat survived two more marriages: Robert Trivett and Donald Murrow. She was predeceased by daughters: Tara Garrett Talton (Donald), Donna Louise Garrett and Anne Garrett Atkinson (George). She is survived by her daughter, Amy Garrett Reidell (Mike) of Anchorage; and sons, Carter Lee Garrett (Marjorie) of Soldotna, Alaska, and Thomas William Garrett of Bend, Ore. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Casey Cooper, Bridget Hein (Eric), Alea Kappel (Andy), Alicia Atkinson (Ryan), Gregory Reidell, Sophia Garrett, Ryan Garrett (Kimberley), Jessica Garrett, Linus Garrett (Brandee), Joshua Reidell (Hannah) and Ashley Garrett; great-grandchildren, Ian, Connor, Ryan, Rylan, Holly, Tanner, Bishop and Charlotte; as well as cousins in Iowa and California.

A service will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Anchorage on March 17, 2023, at 1 p.m. Pat enjoyed parties and requested on her passing to have one, which will be sometime this summer once a venue has been arranged. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her favorite organizations: Anchorage Moose Lodge #1534 or the SPCA.